The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-04

| editing paper. in 1856 There was to be a
| campaign rally there. and Lincoln and Trumbull
! met on the sidewalk and embraced each other
| warmly why, Trumbull. you hereP said Lin
coin. Why, Lincoln you hereP responded the
Senator, for the fact that they were to speak for
! Fremont that night together was unknown TO
/ both Afterwards, around the stove in the Office
| of Secretary of State, where was clerk for
four years, Lincoln familiar presence
and always the center OF the group
| l asked Mr.. Nicolay about the character of
| Mr. Lincolns stories
There is an erroneous notion abroad" he
! said that Mr.. Lincolns stories were largely of
a sort that could not be repeated In the presence
| of ladies. The simple fact Is that he was re-
markable for two characteristics IN this connec-
ton: For the aptness OF his stories and for his
dramatic power in telling them He did not tell
story for its own sake. but because 1t illus
trated some immediate point in the situation
lie never dragged in a story, but used 1t as an
effective instrument of expression"
.'How came you to be the Presidents secre-
tary2"I asked
Il was at the Chicago convention" said Colo
mel Nicolay, land when Lincoln was nominated
l was ambitious to write his campaign biog-
! raphy. l was greatly. disappointed when
failed to get the job, and 1t was given to young
had never before heard of. We have all heard
| of him since. was regretting my bad luck
close friend of Lincoln's when he interrupted
me with Hush That's of no consequence. You
are to be private secretary That's the way it
came about"
During the campaign served alone as sec
rotary, but after the election business and let
tiers so accumulated that John Hay was added
the town where published newspaper four
years before, and there we had become ac-
quanted He had graduated since that and
returned to Springfield to study law with
his distinguished uncle, Milton Hay.
How did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself during
the campaign
equable in temper. seldom greatly elated or
much depressed. He not worried about
the campaign, and had himself thoroughly in
hand People sent him many curious symbols
of frontier Gfe-axeS. maulS, wedges, ra1lS-and
all sorts of people all sorts of errands called
on him in the Governors room in the State
house, which assigned to him. Many came
from mere curiosity. and they would sit awk-
wardly around looking at him. He could not
talk politics much at such time, and the bulk
of his visitors were shy of speech They hand
led the symbols that had been sent IN. and spoke
to him of their use, and he would sometimes
take the end of AK helve between his fingers,
and hold the AK out at arms length. to show
that he had not lost his strength. In various
simple ways he thus managed to Kill time One
fellow had the impudence to come wearing
Secession cockade in his hat. Lincoln spoke to
him pleasantly, and shook hands as with the
others, and the intruder sat around half an
hour. looking foolish and saying nothing, and
finally went out The crowd quietly ignored
the intended insult
.'Mr Lincoln was just democratic IN the
White House, believe" said
Eyes" assented Col. Nicolay. land that went
far toward giving him his firm hold on the hearts
of the people 1t was his custom. while he was
President to hold an informal reception between
IL and l o'clock each day, to hear in person the
requests ard wishes of all sorts of people who
chose to come to see him Rich and poor, white
and black crowded into his business office. tnow
Col Lamout'sI shook hands and told him what
they wanted. He generally wrote card and
referred the petitioner to the proper depart
ment. but often he attended to it himself Men
who wanted Office caIEe alleged Unlonlsts who
wanted pay for losses; cranks who showed hun
how to put down the rebellion; mothers who
had sons in the army; relatives of men who had
been ordered shot; tramps who were hard UP
and wanted money or transportation TO enable
them to 90 somewhere 1t was IKE some
ancient Druid standing under an oak tree and
dealing out justice to the realm"
Didn't the people exasperate Old Abe some
timesf
Not often He listened patiently to all. sell
dom protecting himself even from bores.
never saw him angry but twice. and then only
momentariy He turned one man out OF the
room and laid his hand on his shoulder to hasten
his departure if necessary"
asked II Mr.. Lincoln eomprehended that he
was in constant danger Of his life.
OF course said Col. Nicolay. cit was often
discussed between his friends and himself.
They would say, Now, Lincoln. you must lock
ont and be constantly on your guard Some
crank islbsble to come alonr and XIII YOU His